How Do I Make a Connections Lesson in the Third Grade?
Third-grade students learn about an unfamiliar topic more easily when they can connect with something they already know or have experienced. Teachers can use graphic organizers to help third-graders make connections between new information and previous knowledge, according to the TeachAll Online Staff Development Academy, part of Weber State University. KWL (What we know, What we want to know, What we learned) charts help students relate current levels of knowledge, questions leading to further investigation and new information learned as a result of those investigations. Venn diagrams offer a way to visualize the similarities and differences between topics after each has been taught separately.
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Instructions
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KWL Chart
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1
Draw two vertical lines to create three columns.
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2
Write headings on each column. Label the first column "What we know." Label the middle column "What we want to know." Label the third column "What we learned."
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3
Tell students the topic of a new unit of study, but do not supply any information about the topic.
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4
Ask the third-graders what they already know about the topic. Write the responses in the first column.
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5
Ask the students what additional information they want to know about the subject, prompting students if needed. Write the questions in the second column.
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6
Teach the lesson about the topic.
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7
Read the KWL chart again. In the third column, write new pieces of information students gathered from the lesson, including any answers to the questions listed in the second column.
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8
Post the KWL chart in a prominent area of the classroom. Refer to the chart and add new questions and answers as they arise.
Venn Diagram
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9
Draw two large circles that significantly overlap in the middle.
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10
Write headings for each circle. For example, label the circles with the titles of books, types of animals, or forms of government.
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11
Ask the third-graders to identify similarities between the two topics. Write the responses in the middle section, where the two circles overlap.
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12
Ask students to identify differences between the two subjects. Write responses that pertain to each topic inside the appropriate circle.
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13
Post the Venn diagram in a prominent area of the classroom. Refer to the chart and add new similarities and differences as they arise.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use KWL charts before introducing a new topic or unit of study.
Use Venn diagrams after teaching both subjects.
Increase student engagement by having each student complete his own copy of the graphic organizer.
